And yet again, kudos must go to Mr Ben Henderson for arranging not one day but this year two days of the most entertaining mayhem! I saw less this year than last, as this year Steven C. Davis and I were attending as authors with books, readings and workshops; but what I saw was fairly unforgettable. A passing breeze as we talked to a new friend turned out to be three inflatable ostriches amidst race from the back of the church hall, down the high street. I suppose everyone needs a fetish of some sort. A live and not-especially-racy snail race commenced in a slimy fashion. Not human snails this year, live ones. Those who know me, and who remember Broadarrow Jack, need only look to our Mollusc Sonata (Rhapsody in Slime) to know exactly how I feel about slugs, snails, and things that go ooze in the night (lyrics reproduced below, as I suspect a 'few' of you won't have heard this song).And that wasn't all! Intrepid storytelling from Janet Dowling; ethereal warbling from Ziazan; tea duelling, corset limbo and more ably presented by Spy Mistress General. The Best Cake in the World and chilli eating contests (not combined). More planned world record attempts than you could shake a snail-slimed stick at.Music, too - ably provided in the Royal Oak throughout both days by Steampunk DJ Steve Jones, with our own GASP* host Mr Steven C. Davis providing choons via our killer robot speaker, Andrew the Android, in Christchurch on Saturday. Performers like Birthrite, Metropolis, Tom Slatter, Moth, and more - sadly I didn't get to see any of the evening performances due to trains and masses of luggage, but I'm told they were simply marvelous.And of course the traders provided shinies, pretties, tasties and more marvels, and were a thoroughly lovely bunch of people as well. In fact, everyone was lovely. Mr Davis and I would particularly like to thank those who came to talk to us at our table in Christchurch on Saturday, and in The Royal Oak on Sunday; and those who attended Saturday's 'Victorian Prostitute Killer Robot Bank Job Shocker' book readings and, Sunday's 'The Hobbit: Retold'. 'The Hobbit' gave the attendees much more chance to join in, which they did with gusto, effectively rewriting said classic story from a new and slightly scary steampunk perspective, the results of which have been posted in the Convivial facebook page for attendees to enjoy!It was great to catch up with some friends we haven't seen for a while; and as always to make some new friends, too. A wonderful time, yet again. Ben, thank you for inviting us. Everyone, thank you for being lovely. Hope to see you all soon!*The Gothic, Alternative, Steampunk and Progressive web radio show on Blast 1386 every Tuesday night, 8pm-10pm UK

Leave a Reply.

Author

I'm a writer of steampunk/ fantasy fiction, singer/musician and writer at LM Cooke Music, singer in the parody band Mediaeval Biaetches, occasional historian, and co-presenter of the Gothic Alternative Steampunk and Progressive web radio show. Here I will ramble vaguely about stuff. Friends, countrymen, and people who aren't countrymen, lend me your ears...